EDC supports Dunham Farm as 'economic driver'

"This is a well thought out plan," EDC member Garland Warren said at the panel's Sept. 9 meeting.

Mr. Warren said infrastructure improvements for the project would open up the town's northern industrial area.

"It could be an economic goldmine for the town," he said. "I think we should really get behind this."

Also at that meeting, EDC Chairman Trip Rothschild called the proposal "a very interesting and potentially exciting plan."

The development would have a variety of 508 housing units on 163 acres of Carl Dunham's property between Candlewood Mountain Road and the former Sempra property on Route 7.

Plans call for bringing a sewer line to the site and improving Rocky River Road, which would give those on Candlewood Mountain Road a second and in many cases a quicker access to Route 7.

Mr. Rothschild said his first reaction was "highly favorable," but he said the EDC has been criticized in the past for supporting projects without extensive due diligence and he was reluctant to throw unqualified support to the project at this time.

He said the EDC needs to do more research and to better understand the tax increment financing proposal, which involves forming a tax district for the project.

Most members of the EDC, however, said that other boards would be doing the due diligence on the financing plan, sewer use and land use regulations.

They agreed with members Keith Wilson, Mr. Warren and Tim Cornelis, who said if the project goes forward the plan would have a positive impact on the town's economic development and the EDC should embrace the concept.

Member Jim Cioban, who abstained on last week's vote backing the concept, said he was familiar with the continuing care retirement communities run by the Kendal Corporation, which are governed in accordance with principles of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and also Marriott Senior Living Services.

Mr. Cioban said he wanted to know how Dunham Farm would compare.

The developer, Karl Frey of Vespera Investments, said there would be no assisted living facility; that units would be for sale to active adults.

Mr. Cioban, who said the concept "is deeply intriguing," also wanted more information on the motivation behind the development and future plans for the remaining 500-plus acres of Dunham property.

Mr. Dunham said he has a "keen interest" in the town where he was raised and lives. He has considered several master plans for "quality development" of his 600-plus acres in recent years.

He said instead of Dunham Farm he could do a conventional subdivision with 57 homes.

Mr. Dunham agreed that improving Rocky River Road and bringing up the sewer and water lines - and possibly tapping into the natural gas line - would aid his proposal and the future development of his land.

However, he said it would also:

Open up more of New Milford's industrial property with additional road, sewer, natural gas and water infrastructure, making it more valuable.

Support the needed expansion of the treatment plant by hooking into the sewer system. Plans call for burying a holding tank and emptying sewage from the development at night to help maintain more even flows, which would help the plant operation.

Mr. Frey said Dunham Farm would be "a community that will end up being the engine of economic growth."

He said an active adult community:

Increases the tax base with minimal demand on town services.

Attracts an age group that typically has a great deal of disposable income and tends to spend the majority of it within 10 miles of home.

Draws people who volunteer in civic matters and often mentor in schools.

Doesn't burden the school system with the demand for school services.

Mr. Frey said conservative estimates of the short-term economic impact to the town would be $450 million and long-term economic development benefits would be $225 million - roughly 1.5 times the project's $150 million projected cost.

The commercial amenities planned - such as a coffee shop and small general store - are not designed to compete with downtown businesses.

Mr. Frey said his financial backers include Steve and Art Sandler of Virginia Beach.

According to published reports, the Sandlers were once involved in Sandler Foods, a family wholesale food distribution business that was sold to Sara Lee more than a decade ago. They are now involved in real estate development projects in Virginia, Florida and North Carolina.